Electric ironing device



Dec. 12, 1967 R. M. NIMESKERN ELECTRIC IRONING DEVICE Filed March 11. 1966 WWII v 5 I V ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,357,119 ELECTRIC IRONING DEVICE Rita M. Nimeskern, 412 1st St. SE., Washington, D.C. 20003 Filed Mar. 11, 1966, Ser. No. 533,511 9 Claims. (Cl. 38-99) This invention relates to irons, and more particularly to an electric ironing device having a spherical-shaped ironing surface and a manually operable presser arm assembly incorporating an arcuate-shaped member constructed and arranged for pressing engagement with selected portions of the material to be ironed while said material is supported on the ironing surface of the device.

Heretofore, it has been suggested to provide sphericalshaped ironing devices specifically designed for ironing certain elements of articles of clothing, for example, puff sleeves, gathered or shirred portions of dresses, blouses, shirtwaists, and the like, by drawing the portion of the garment to be ironed over the ironing surface, or by manipulating the device so as to move the spherical working surface, under pressure, over the material to be ironed. While the above-noted prior arrangements no doubt function for their intended purposes, they are open to objection because of their rather limited held of use, the restricted area of contact between portions of the material to :be ironed, and the ironing surface during the ironing procedure, and lack of means to apply supplementary controlled pressure to desired areas of the material, during the ironing and pressing operation.

In this regard, it will be readily appreciated that by merely moving the material to be ironed over a heated spherical-shaped surface will not, per se, provide an ironed and pressed product, which will meet the approval of the average housewife, and more particularly, the wearer of an article ironed in such fashion. The deficiency in this respect is largely due, as noted hereinabove, to the restricted area of contact between certain portions of the material and the ironing surface, and lack means to apply supplementary pressure to selected areas of the material during the ironing procedure.

After considerable research and experimentation, I have found that the difficulty arising from limited area of contact between portions of the material can be overcome to a certain extent by developing manipulation techniques applicable to materials and articles of specifically different design, in conjunction with mechanical means for simultaneously applying controlled pressure to selected areas of the material during the ironing operation.

The improved ironing device of the present invention comprises essentially, a hollow spherically-shaped member having an upper heat conducting hemispherical shell containing a heating element; a bottom hemispherical shell formed from a suitable heat insulating material, the bottom shell having a neck portion terminating in an enlarged bottom section detachably secured to a weighted base member adapted to support the ironing device in the operative position; and a presser arm assembly, incorporating an arcuate-shaped shoe of curvature complementary to the ironing surface of the upper shell, said presser arm assembly being operatively supported on the neck portion of the bottom shell.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved ironing device having a spherically-shaped ironing surface.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved spherically-shaped ironing device having an upper heat conducting shell and a bottom shell formed from a suitable heating insulating material.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide an improved, hollow, spherically-shaped ironing device comprising an upper heat conducting shell having a heating 3,357,119 Patented Dec. 12, 1967 element mounted therein, and a heat insulated bottom shell, including a heat insulated neck portion detachably secured to a weighted base member adapted to support the ironing device in the operative position.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved spherically-shaped ironing device including an upper heat conducting hemispherical shell constituting the ironing surface, and a bottom hemispherical shell having a heat insulated neck portion secured to a weighted base, and a presser arm assembly, incorporating an arcuateshaped shoe adapted for pressing engagement with the material to be ironed, said presser arm assembly being operatively supported on the heat insulated neck portion of the bottom shell.

Yet still another object of the invention is to provide an improved ironing device comprising upper and lower hemispherical shells interconnected to form a hollow spherically-shaped member containing a heating element, the lower hemispherical shell having a neck portion formed thereon; a presser arm assembly operatively supported on the neck portion, said presser arm assembly incorporating a curvilinear head adapted to pressingly engage selected portions of the material to be ironed, while the material is supported on the ironing surface of the upper hemispherical shell.

With these and other objects in view, which may be incident to my improvements, the invention consists in the parts and combinations to be hereinafter set forth and claimed, with the understanding that the several necessary elements, comprising my invention, may be varied in construction, proportions and arrangement, without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

In order to make my invention more clearly understood, I have shown in the accompanying drawings means for carrying the same into practical effect, without limiting the improvements in their useful applications to the particular constructions which, for the purpose of explanation, have been made the subject of illustration.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the sphericallyshaped ironing device of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIGURE 1; and

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIGURE 2.

Referring to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGURES l and 2 thereof, the improved ironing device comprises a hollow, spherically-shaped member 1 having a pedestal 2 secured to a weighted base member 3, adapted to support the device in the operative position, the pedestal also having a presser arm assembly 4 operatively supported thereon. The member 1 consists of an upper hemispherical shell 5 and a lower hemispherical shell 6, threadably secured at their equatorial line as at 7, the lower shell, which is formed from a suitable heat insulatmg material, such as Bakelite, is formed with a hollow neck portion 8, FIGURE 2, constituting the pedestal member 2, threadably secured as at 9 to the base member 3.

The upper hemispherical shell 5 contains a heating assembly 10 which comprises a hemispherical, electrically insulated core member 11 having an outwardly extending annular flange 12 secured, by means of bolts 13, to an inwardly extending annular flange 14 formed on the lower shell in proximity to the upper end thereof. The outer surface of the core member 11 is spaced inwardly from the inner Wall of the upper shell and is provided with a spiral groove 15 in which a suitable heating coil 16 is adapted to seat. Each end of the coil is provided with a terminal 17, one of which is shown, FIGURE 2, connected to a lead 18 of an electrical cord 19 which extends downwardly through the hollow pedestal 2 and outwardly through the base member 3, FIGURE 3, the free end of the cord being provided with an attachment plug adapted for connection to a suitable source of electrical energy, not shown. Preferably, the electrical circuit is provided with a rheostat, not shown, adapted to be regulated by means of a control knob 21 carried by the base 3, the control knob having an index correlated with graduations provided with indicia to designate the proper setting of the thermostat for a specific type of fabric.

The presser arm assembly 4, comprises a pair of spaced brackets 22, FIGURE 2, integrally connected to the pedestal 2, and extending outwardly therefrom. One end of an arm 23 is positioned Within the space between the brackets and is pivotally mounted therein by means of a pin 24 extending transversely through an opening in the end portion of the arm and through registering openings in the brackets, the ends of the pin being capped, whereby to maintain it in seated position. The opposite end of arm 23 is provided with a presser head or shoe 25 consisting of a resilient cushion 26 secured to the inner surface of a plate 27 attached to the end of the arm, the plate and the associated cushion being of a. curvature to conform with the spherically-shaped ironing surface of upper shell 5, whereby to facilitate pressing of the Workpiece, as will be described more fully hereinafter. A coil spring 28 is positioned intermediate the ends of the presser arm 23 and biased between the outer wall of the lower shell 6 and the inside edge of the presser arm 23, whereby the presser arm and associated presser head are continuously biased to the inoperative position in a direction away from the spherically-shaped ironing surface.

In order to move the presser arm and associated presser head toward the iron, an actuator 29 is provided, comprising an arm 30 having one end pivotally connected to the brackets 22 by means of pin 31. The pivotal end of the arm 30 is formed with a cam lobe 32 which is positioncd within an arcuate recess 33, FIGURE 3, formed in the outer edge of the presser arm 23 in proximity to its pivotal end, the opposite end of arm 30 being provided with a spherical knob 34 to facilitate manipulation of the actuator by the user.

By the construction and arrangement of the presser arm assembly 4, it will be readily apparent that when the actuator arm 39 is moved in the direction of the arrow to the dotted line position as shown in FIGURE 2, rotation of cam lobe 32 will cause the presser arm 23 to pivot in a clockwise direction about the pin 24 to thereby urge the curvilinear presser head 25 against the surface of the upper shell, while simultaneously compressing coil spring 28. When the actuator arm 30 is released, spring 28 expands causing presser arm 23 to pivot in a counterclockwise direction about pin 24, while the actuator rod 30' simultaneously pivots in a clockwise direction about pin 31 until the assembly returns once again to the full line position shown in FIGURE 2, wherein the presser head 25 is spaced from the surface of the upper shell.

In use of the iron of the present invention, assuming that it has been connected to a suitable electrical source, the article to be ironed has been dampened, and the thermostat adjusted to the setting recommended for the particular fabric, the operator grasps the article with both hands, using the ball of the thumbs and rigidity of the arms to exert pressure transversely of the material, while manipulating it over the top and the top sides of the ironing surface, using a free-swinging arm and shoulder motion originating from the waistline. Upon comple tion of the initial ironing, areas of the material requiring pressing to remove creases or wrinkles therefrom, are subjected to the pressing action of the presser head assembly. Finally, if desired, the article may be folded and subjected to slight pressure by the pressing head, prior to returning the article to its customary storage location.

As an illustration of the use of the improved iron for ironing ladies and childrens dresses, the procedure is as the body of the skirt in this manner; next iron the front and back yokes of the garment, proceeding on to the bodice, starting at the waistline and pressing towards the shoulders and the armholes; then crease the sleeves of the garment with the fingers, from shoulder to cult, and draw each sleeve fabric along its length over the spherical ironing surface; and finally use the presser head to press the collar and cuffs, and to also remove creases and wrinkles from other portions of the garment.

While the use of the iron has been described, by way of illustration, in connection with ladies and childrens dresses, it can be used equally well for linens, such as sheets, tablecloths, bureau scarves and runners; wash and wear items such as cotton dresses, mens and boys wash pants, casual and dress shirts, and also undergraments and nightwear.

While I have shown and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, I wish it to be understood that I do not confine myself to the precise details of construction herein set forth by way of illustration, as it is apparent that many changes and variations may be made therein, by those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit of the invention or exceeding the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A spherical iron of the character described, comprising, a hollow spherically-shaped member, including an ironing surface, means positioned within said member for heating the ironing surface, a weighted base member, a pedestal formed on the spherically-shaped member connecting said member to the weighted base member; and a presser arm assembly, incorporating a pressure head, operatively supported on the pedestal.

2. A spherical iron according to claim 1, wherein the hollow spherically-shaped member comprises, an upper hemispherical shell and a lower hemispherical shell, said shells being secured together at approximately their equatorial line.

3. A spherical iron according to claim 2, wherein the upper shell is formed from heat conductive material and said lower shell is formed from a heat insulating material.

4. A spherical iron according to claim 3, wherein a depending neck portion is formed integrally with the lower shell to thereby form the pedestal, the end of said neck being threadably secured to the base member.

5. A spherical iron according to claim 1, wherein the heating means comprises, a hemispherical, electrically insulated core member, an outwardly extending annular flange formed on the peripheral edge of the hemispherical core member, an inwardly extending flange formed on the inner wall of the spherically-shaped member, the core flange being positioned on and secured to the inwardly extending flange, a spiral groove formed on the surface of the core, a heating coil mounted within said spiral groove, and electrical conductor means connecting said heating coil to a source of electrical energy.

6. A spherical iron according to claim 1, wherein the presser arm assembly comprises an arm, one end of said arm being pivotally connected to the pedestal, a presser head secured to the opposite end of the arm adapted to engage the spherically-shaped member, and actuator means operatively connected to said arm for moving the arm and associated presser head in a direction toward the spherically-shaped member.

7. A spherical iron according to claim 6, wherein the presser head comprises, a curvilinear plate rigidly connected to the opposite end of the arm, and a similarly configured resilient cushion secured to the surface of the plate, the curvature of the plate and associated resilient follows: Iron the waistline first, and then proceed down the side seams in the direction of the hemline, finishing cushion conforming to the curvature of the sphericallyshaped member.

8. A spherical iron according to claim 6 wherein spring means are positioned between the arm and the sphericallyshaped member for biasing the arm to an inoperative position away from the spherically-shaped member.

5 6 9. A spherical iron according to claim 6, wherein the presser arm is moved away from the spherically-shaped actuator means comprises, bracket means secured to the member. pedestal, an actuator arm, one end of said actuator arm References Cited pivotally connected to said bracket means, and cam means UNITED STATES PATENTS formed on said one end of said actuator arm, said cam 5 means engaging said presser arm, whereby when the acg "2-1 tuator arm is pivoted in one direction the presser arm is 3064372 11/1962 3 22 38:99 pivoted toward the spherically-shaped member, and when the actuator arm is moved in the opposite direction the PATRICK LAWSON, Primary Examiner 

1. A SPHERICAL IRON OF THE CHARACTER DESCRIBED, COMPRISING, A HOLLOW SPHERICALLY-SHAPED MEMBER, INCLUDING AN IRONING SURFACE, MEANS POSITIONED WITHIN SAID MEMBER FOR HEATING THE IRONING SURFACE, A WEIGHTED BASE MEMBER, A PEDESTAL FORMED ON THE SPHERICALLY-SHAPED MEMBER CON- 